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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Gage County
Gage County is part of the Nebraska and Kansas Loess-Drift Hills land resource region (MLRA 106). The county's mean elevation is about 1,299 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Gage County sees 31.7 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 52.2°F mean annual temperature.
Gage County carries 7,872 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 45,521 acres. 1,156 farms operate in the county, averaging 469 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Nebraska |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Poultry, Cattle & calves, Hogs, Wheat |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Gage County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
2920 E. Court Street, Beatrice, NE 68310
Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.
Forage and Grazing in Gage County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Gage County greening up around June and peaking in July. The county carries about 45,521 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Gage County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Gage County at an average farm size of 469 acres, 14% small operations, 29% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 74,279 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Gage County
Gage County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and soybeans. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for confined livestock operations, waste management and nutrient planning. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Gage County Operations
Based on Gage County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP funding focuses on nutrient management and cover crop systems for water quality protection. CSP participation emphasizes comprehensive conservation systems including pollinator habitat.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.
How to find your county's priorities:
- Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
- Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
- Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria
Nearby Counties
Operators in Gage County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Marshall County, Kansas, Washington County, Kansas, Jefferson County, Nebraska, Johnson County, Nebraska, Lancaster County, Nebraska, and Otoe County, Nebraska. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Gage County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Nebraska guide: Nebraska Farm Programs Guide
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